Legitimating Graffiti? On the intersections of art, law and public space

Recent years have seen the practices conventionally described as 'street art' become increasingly mainstream. The work of street artists such as Banksy, Nick Walker, Swoon and D*Face have sold at auction for high prices, and are now regarded as highly collectable art. Museums and galleries in cities such as New York, LA, London, Paris and Melbourne have held exhibitions featuring works by street artists and many have purchased street artworks for their permanent collections. Street art, when placed on private property without permission is still illegal, and the very similar activities known as graffiti are still considered to be 'vandalism' or 'anti-social' and are seldom categorised as art. In this seminar, Professor Young will think through some of the contradictions found in the informal legitimation processes being undergone by 'street art' and the ways in which it is being distinguished from 'graffiti'. She will also investigate the role of the law both in relation to the tensions around criminalisation and decriminalisation, and in the maintenance of cultural hierarchies regarding property, public space, and the image.